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Camping and 4WD: Christmas holiday camping
Camping and 4WD - Quick Facts
The Christmas-New Year holiday season is traditionally a time to kick back and enjoy the good things in life.
However it can also put a pretty big dent in your wallet, especially when it comes to holiday accommodation. The old supply and demand rule dictates that if everyone wants to take a break at the same time, resorts, cabins, apartments and even caravan parks usually charge premium rates, especially over Christmas-New Year, and Easter.
It's almost inevitable at any location on the east coast, particularly between Sydney and Brisbane. Going to the beach might still be free, but staying near the beach certainly isn't.
You can still get great value for your holiday dollar by camping, in one of the many national parks or state forests along the coast, or in the hinterland.
And if you would like a change from the sun, sand and surf type holiday, there are many beautiful camping grounds in the national parks of the Great Dividing Range, where you can enjoy bushwalking, canoeing and many other activities far from the crowds.
Myall Lakes National Park, 35km south of Forster on the Lakes Way, is a long time favourite.
It contains 40km of beaches and rolling sand dunes; behind the dunes are the lakes themselves, where you can take the tinny and go fishing, or just relax by the water´s edge.
The lakes generally have sandy bottoms and gentle shallows, so they are an ideal place for young children to splash about in safety.
Car based camping grounds are located at many spots, including Mungo Brush and White Tree Bay. 4WD access camping grounds are at Korsman's Landing and Sunnyside; wheelchair access camping is also provided at Violet Hill.
Further north, Crowdy Bay National Park, 25 km north east of Taree, is a beautiful unspoiled coastline, with several camping grounds.
The most popular is at Diamond Head, which has been improved in recent years and now offers wheelchair access, showers and the full range of facilities.
Diamond Head is right on the beach. A couple of other less crowded camping areas are at Indian Head and Kylies Beach.
The mid north coast's other beach camping highlight is in Limeburner's Creek Nature Reserve, 15 km south of Crescent Head.
Here, the Point Plomer camping area, also right on the beach, has also been extensively upgraded. Surfing is pretty popular at Plomer and at Crescent Head itself.
Here, you'll be away from the crowds, and in the higher areas temperatures are relatively cool, perfect for bushwalking.
The Werrikimbe National Park is 80km north west of Wauchope on the Hastings Forest Drive, a dirt road which, while in good condition, is not really suitable for caravans. Camper trailers are fine.
Brushy Mountain camping area is high in the hills - 1000 metres plus - and has plenty of space to enjoy among the wonderful eucalypt forest.
On the western side of Werrikimbe, Cobcroft and Mooraback camping areas are remote and about as far from civilisation as you can get in eastern NSW.
If you have a 4WD, Werrikimbe is a great place to spend a few days. Drive the Racecourse Trail, which links the eastern and western side of the park, and take the drive over the mountains to Bellbrook, via Kookaburra, for a picnic or some bass fishing on the Macleay River.
Canoes can be hired, and guides will show you how to land a bass, or take you on horse rides through property using reliable stockhorses.
Helicopter flights over the Oxley wilderness are also available. If you don't have you own camping gear, dorm style cabins with gas appliances are available. These sleep up to six adults.
West Kunderang Recreational Retreat is reached via Kempsey and south of Sydney, Jervis Bay National Park is one of the most popular on the coast at this time of year.
Its unspoiled forests, bays and beaches are a superb location for a relaxing end of year break. Greenfield Beach has wheelchair access, and you can follow the coastal walk to Hyams Beach, returning via the Scribbly Gum Track.
Camping is not permitted in the park itself, however there are many camping grounds and caravan parks at bayside villages such as Huskisson.
Further south, Mimosa Rocks National Park, 22 km north east of Bega on the Tathra-Bermagui Road, is a wild, volcanic coastline where you can camp in one of several areas.
Most campground access roads are unsealed and not suitable for caravans, apart from Gillard's Beach.
The Alpine Way, from Jindabyne to Khancoban, is now fully sealed, so getting around the park is easy. You can take a drive up to Charlotte Pass and do the day walk to the summit of Kosciusko, hop on a chairlift up to the top of Crackenback and enjoy the alpine wildflowers, or go fishing or boating on Lake Jindabyne. There's still plenty to do the Snowys - without the snow.
Information
All information was correct at the time of writing but may change without notice.
However it can also put a pretty big dent in your wallet, especially when it comes to holiday accommodation. The old supply and demand rule dictates that if everyone wants to take a break at the same time, resorts, cabins, apartments and even caravan parks usually charge premium rates, especially over Christmas-New Year, and Easter.
It's almost inevitable at any location on the east coast, particularly between Sydney and Brisbane. Going to the beach might still be free, but staying near the beach certainly isn't.
You can still get great value for your holiday dollar by camping, in one of the many national parks or state forests along the coast, or in the hinterland.
And if you would like a change from the sun, sand and surf type holiday, there are many beautiful camping grounds in the national parks of the Great Dividing Range, where you can enjoy bushwalking, canoeing and many other activities far from the crowds.
Newcastle to Coffs Harbour
Looking at the coast first, the region between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour offers many camping opportunities.Myall Lakes National Park, 35km south of Forster on the Lakes Way, is a long time favourite.
It contains 40km of beaches and rolling sand dunes; behind the dunes are the lakes themselves, where you can take the tinny and go fishing, or just relax by the water´s edge.
The lakes generally have sandy bottoms and gentle shallows, so they are an ideal place for young children to splash about in safety.
Car based camping grounds are located at many spots, including Mungo Brush and White Tree Bay. 4WD access camping grounds are at Korsman's Landing and Sunnyside; wheelchair access camping is also provided at Violet Hill.
Further north, Crowdy Bay National Park, 25 km north east of Taree, is a beautiful unspoiled coastline, with several camping grounds.
The most popular is at Diamond Head, which has been improved in recent years and now offers wheelchair access, showers and the full range of facilities.
Diamond Head is right on the beach. A couple of other less crowded camping areas are at Indian Head and Kylies Beach.
The mid north coast's other beach camping highlight is in Limeburner's Creek Nature Reserve, 15 km south of Crescent Head.
Here, the Point Plomer camping area, also right on the beach, has also been extensively upgraded. Surfing is pretty popular at Plomer and at Crescent Head itself.
Behind the NSW north coast
A very different type of camping holiday experience is available in the mountains behind the NSW north coast.Here, you'll be away from the crowds, and in the higher areas temperatures are relatively cool, perfect for bushwalking.
The Werrikimbe National Park is 80km north west of Wauchope on the Hastings Forest Drive, a dirt road which, while in good condition, is not really suitable for caravans. Camper trailers are fine.
Brushy Mountain camping area is high in the hills - 1000 metres plus - and has plenty of space to enjoy among the wonderful eucalypt forest.
On the western side of Werrikimbe, Cobcroft and Mooraback camping areas are remote and about as far from civilisation as you can get in eastern NSW.
If you have a 4WD, Werrikimbe is a great place to spend a few days. Drive the Racecourse Trail, which links the eastern and western side of the park, and take the drive over the mountains to Bellbrook, via Kookaburra, for a picnic or some bass fishing on the Macleay River.
Down south
If you would prefer a camping holiday that's slightly more organised, with activities, West Kunderang Recreational Retreat is a property in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, which offers fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, horse riding and four wheel driving.Canoes can be hired, and guides will show you how to land a bass, or take you on horse rides through property using reliable stockhorses.
Helicopter flights over the Oxley wilderness are also available. If you don't have you own camping gear, dorm style cabins with gas appliances are available. These sleep up to six adults.
West Kunderang Recreational Retreat is reached via Kempsey and south of Sydney, Jervis Bay National Park is one of the most popular on the coast at this time of year.
Its unspoiled forests, bays and beaches are a superb location for a relaxing end of year break. Greenfield Beach has wheelchair access, and you can follow the coastal walk to Hyams Beach, returning via the Scribbly Gum Track.
Camping is not permitted in the park itself, however there are many camping grounds and caravan parks at bayside villages such as Huskisson.
Further south, Mimosa Rocks National Park, 22 km north east of Bega on the Tathra-Bermagui Road, is a wild, volcanic coastline where you can camp in one of several areas.
Most campground access roads are unsealed and not suitable for caravans, apart from Gillard's Beach.
The Snowy Mountains
Finally, the Snowy Mountains region is a great place to visit in summer, especially if you're camping. In Kosciusko National Park, car based camping areas are provided along all of the major roads, though most have only basic facilities such as pit toilets and fireplaces. You can also camp in the caravan park by the lake at Jindabyne. Sawpit Creek, on the Jindabyne-Charlotte Pass Road, has a range of camping, caravan and cabin accommodation available at Kosciusko Mountain Retreat.The Alpine Way, from Jindabyne to Khancoban, is now fully sealed, so getting around the park is easy. You can take a drive up to Charlotte Pass and do the day walk to the summit of Kosciusko, hop on a chairlift up to the top of Crackenback and enjoy the alpine wildflowers, or go fishing or boating on Lake Jindabyne. There's still plenty to do the Snowys - without the snow.
Information
- National Parks campgrounds, especially those on the coast, are very popular over Christmas-New Year and some require you to book a site. Camping and access fees also apply in some campgrounds. Follow the links to the park which interests you for details of booking requirements and fees.
- Kosciusko Mountain Retreathas details of camping, caravan and cabin accommodation at Sawpit Creek.
- Email West Kunderang Recreational Retreat at westkunderang@bigpond.com for details of camping and self-contained accommodation options and prices.
Story by Bill McKinnon.
All information was correct at the time of writing but may change without notice.
